The Labyrinth of Rome between catacombs and ancient quarries
Description
Going under Rome is entering a parallel city, invisible to most, made of tunnels, silences and millennial layers that surprises even those who believe they know the Capital. A route of about 1.5 km between underground tunnels, quarries, catacombs, a fungus and a Mithraeum, for a visit of about 2 hours defined as "unexpected" and "engaging". The basements were selected and recommended by the National Geographic Traveller as one of the most extraordinary experiences, telling a deep and authentic Rome, not that of the crowds: https://magazine.natgeotraveller.co.uk/NGTC-European-Cities-June - 2025/underground-of-Rome/ Experienced guides accompany the route with clear and passionate stories; reviews emphasize competence and narrative ability. The route is easy, fully accessible and suitable for those seeking an intense cultural experience without physical difficulties. Constant temperature around 16 °C. One of the most amazing underground experiences in Rome.
Tour Options
Itinerary
Visitors will cross the beautiful Caffarella park in a regenerating walk of about 1 kilometer (just over half a mile) surrounded by nature, where they can find a moment of peace, away from the chaos of the Eternal City.
Under the city of Rome there are miles of tunnels dug to obtain the materials necessary for the construction of the imperial city which still jealously preserve their secrets. Then we will take you to know this underground world on whose walls you can still see the chisel marks of the ancient slaves who dug this place, often in exchange for their lives. You will discover an ancient past made of light and shadow, where history is written in every wrinkle of the walls, in every sign and in every niche. We will then enter the area of the catacombs where the first Christians bury their loved ones in tunnels for dozens of kilometers. We will give you the experience of crossing the darkness with an ancient Roman lamp and then reach what remains of a fungus dating back to World War II. Finally, you will visit a pagan temple dug into the ground where you will discover the secrets related to the spread of Christianity in ancient Rome.
Highlights
What's included
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Wheelchair accessible
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Reviews(26)
This was a very unique tour with an archeologist as our tour guide. After a long walk through a park, we entered the catacomb area. We saw the area that it lighted with displays but also were able to explore areas that they are still working on excavating and researching. Our tour guide was fabulous and my teenager and I loved the tour.
Thank you so much for your thoughtful review! I’m really glad you enjoyed both the walk through the park and the experience inside the catacombs—it’s always special to share not only the accessible areas, but also the parts still under study and excavation. It means a lot to hear that both you and your teenager loved the tour! Making history engaging for all ages is one of my main goals. Hope to see you again for another underground exploration in the future!
A wonderful experience from the mando of Alessandro, the head guide. His art and savoir-faire made this adventure very fascinating and at the same time fun. The labyrinth is to be seen and surprised so much. Amazing to know his story and that he is inside and under his own Rome. Very recommendable
Grazie, ci fa piacere che hai apprezzato il prodotto del nostro lavoro. Gireremo ad Alessandro la tua recensione. Sarà contentissimo. Grazie
On the occasion of New Year’s Eve, we visited the “Labyrinth of Rome” at Parco della Caffarella, with the guidance of the Cultural Association “Undergrounds of Rome”. It is a series of underground tunnels (Roman quarries) that already, for about 2000 years ago, were used to extract pozzolan and other materials for the construction of new neighborhoods and then for the expansion of the city of Rome, to then be used as a fungus. The visit, in addition to the fun New Year's Eve party, was very interesting and lasted about 1h and a half. I recommend bringing a torch, if the visit takes place in the evening, because, from the entrance to the Caffarella park, to the entrance to the basements, it takes at least ten minutes of walking. Anyway, a nice and interesting experience.
Grazie per la vostra visita e il vostro feedback. Il percorso che avete fatto é frutto di attivita di ricerca di tanti anni nell'ambito della speleo archeologia e siamo felici che vi sia piaciuto.
It was my wife’s 40th birthday. We decided to do all of our excursions through this app which all of the other ones were perfect, except this one. We went to the waiting point, which happens to be right behind some dumpsters at a coffee shop. We waited there for about 45 minutes. No one showed up. We had a lot of phone calls back-and-forth after we had to do some heavy researching on who we talk to I highly recommend you not use this particular tour.
We're very sorry for the inconvenience. The reason we didn't show up was not our fault but a series of circumstances. The tour was requested at the last minute, and when the request arrived, we didn't have access to email. This is a complaint we've already reported to Viator. As hosts, not having an app that notifies bookings leaves us vulnerable to last-minute bookings if we don't have access to email. We're deeply sorry for this and apologize. Marco.
This tour was really great. If you're interested in diving into history outside of the center of Rome, please do this tour. Our guide was fantastic! We essentially had a private tour and got to dig into history, politics, art, mythology, religion and more. Our guide tailored the tour information to what we expressed interest in so we learned about history through the centuries up to and including more contemporary history of the use of this site during and after WWII. This is well worth a quick metro trip from the more typical tourist spots!
Thank you, we're happy we could offer you an experience unlike any other commercial tour. We're glad you enjoyed it and hope to see you again. Best regards, Marco.
Pleasant experience and very interesting. The guide Riccardo prepared and nice. We had a great time. At the end of the visit we were offered good wine
Grazie ragazzi, è stato un piacere.
This great tour was culturally enriching! It was so refreshing to finally have an experience that was so much above the usual blended material offer to mass tourism. Riccardo was very knowledgeable and passionate about sharing such great knowledge in a very interesting and interactive manner. I highly recommend this tour for anyone looking at a tailored experience out of the beaten path!
Hello, thank you for appreciating our experience and for understanding the spirit of offering real archaeology, outside of commercial products. We are glad you had enjoyed it. Grazie, Marco
Giuseppe was such a thoughtful and knowledgeable host- a wonderful experience off the beaten track. A real treat!
Thank you very much. We are happy for your review. Thank you.
The experience was amazing! Very interesting and fun. I would recommend this to everyone who is visiting Rome.
Thank you very much. We are happy for your review. Marco.
This is a fantastic experience! I had no idea what to expect with this tour. I was traveling with my 81 year old mother and 25 year old son and it was my son who found this and really wanted to go. I’m so glad we did. The park we were led through to get to the underground is beautiful and very different from the other parts of Rome I had seen (I’ve attached photos). And the caves and catacombs themselves were fascinating. Our tour guide Ricardo was so knowledgeable and entertaining. My only caution is that if you have bad knees, claustrophobia or the like beg out of the catacomb section of the experience (although that would be a shame because that part was amazing!!) I definitely recommend this to anyone interested in Roman history!
Thank you very much for your review. We are happy that you liked our experience and that you appreciated the spirit with which we propose it. We don't want to give commercial products, but to give people a unique and original experience, of what history can give in a city like Rome. Thank you.
